I recently noticed that I don't think that I have seen a new edition of SPA's Water Flying magazine since I got the Jan/Feb 2017 edition. I'm not sure that I ever received any new editions in the last 6 months so now I'm wondering if they were ever sent. Seems awfully coincidental that multiple issues just disappeared from my mailbox... Is something up with SPA beyond the usual lack of responsiveness?

I tried to contact them via e-mail and via their Facebook page, but nothing so far... While I was at it, I also asked if there was some reference source online by which I could see the covers of any intervening issues, just so I could at least see if they are in any way familiar. If anyone here is so inclined and able to post photos of any Water Flying covers they've gotten since the Jan/Feb 2017 issue, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

When you are as powerful, influential, revered and relevant as SPA... answering the little peoples emails is just not that important. Come to think of it, why are you giving a non-positive impression of the Seaplane Gods?

Ya know, they have 10's of thousands of facebook likes? Isn't that enough?

I receive them at my New York City address and will have to look and see what the last issue that I have is as soon as I get back to Manhattan. Since they are Bi-Monthly, I seldom think about them after I read them. I get 16 magazines a month, so it would be easy for me to miss one and not realize it.

Bob

SUPPORTING MEMBER

BobWest Nyack Aviation, L.L.C. New York, New York - East Hampton, New York & Warwick, New York 631.374.9652rkittine@aol.com WA2YDV

In any case, they got the plane out on Wednesday but only started the annual. Apparently a hole was poked in the right float when it was moved from the hanger and that had to be patched. I am waiting to hear if they finished the annual today or not, but am planning on spending next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the Island.

Bob

SUPPORTING MEMBER

BobWest Nyack Aviation, L.L.C. New York, New York - East Hampton, New York & Warwick, New York 631.374.9652rkittine@aol.com WA2YDV

Last week, I got in touch with Mark Twombly, editor of SPA's Water Flying magazine. Asked him 2 things - how much do they pay for article submission for publication in the magazine and how can I find out what issues have supposedly come out since the Jan./Feb. 2017 issue that seems to be the last one I actually received.

He responded very quickly and told me that they typically pay $200 for an article and that he looked forward to hearing about any ideas I might have for one.

I wrote back and sent him copies of several seaplane-related pieces that I have written in the hopes of having them published in a magazine (one of which is already spoken for at another magazine, but I told him to consider it another sample of my writing.) However, there was no mention in his reply of anything about the "missing" issues of the magazine...

So, yesterday I wrote back to him again and asked once more specifically about the missing issues of the magazine...and you guessed it - STILL NOTHING!

Paid articles usually go to the one and only seaplane pahlot expert out there. Not sure if that monopoly still exists. The only reason to sign up for a membership would be to find out how many members the SPA now claims to have - aaaand, the financial reports.

I have had two pictures published in the SPA magazine, but they do not pay anything for them. I write regularly for two magazines, that pay small amounts per piece and one the provides free membership for writing for them.

SUPPORTING MEMBER

BobWest Nyack Aviation, L.L.C. New York, New York - East Hampton, New York & Warwick, New York 631.374.9652rkittine@aol.com WA2YDV

I had some guy inquire to write for our Seaplanemagazine.com right after we launched the site but he thought his professional wisdom was worth more than Seaplanemagazine.com itself.

Rajay actually just joined our small team as "Technical Content Editor" covering his own line of topics. Everyone who knows him from here, knows that this guy can write and knows the trade. Chris, Sky and I are very happy to have him in our little team.

Eventually I can start paying small fees for guest articles, as feedback to our new advertising system has been extremely positive. For a whole year I refused to even talk advertising, to make sure the site could stand on its own.

The magazine has exceeded my wildest expectations in terms of growing readership and followers. Only about 45% of our traffic comes from Facebook, and Facebook has been the only valid social media platform to promote the magazine.We share every single article on Facebook and Twitter.

We just hit 500 completely organic likes and for the first time in several years, I enjoy being a part of this industry again.2018 will bring some cool and exciting stuff, such as the Seaplanemagazine.com App and Live Coverage from OSH (if we get enough sponsors ).

We now have ~230 articles in circulation, more up to date and direct than any other print medium out there.My aim is 6 articles per week, mainly news, then some videos, history stuff, pictures, there is more than enough to do.

You can submit your favorite Waterbird Pictures, or tell me directly if you wish to share a interesting story about your flying adventures.

The best: I answer my emails in less than 1/2 hour and respond to EVERYONE, friend or enemy.

Make sure your articles don't end up being published without pay or notice.

I once appeared in the Waterflying Magazine shaking hands with the big boss in Greenville, Maine, without giving consent to picture publication. Big shame to get emails from people who saw me in the magazine...

Part of a fake peace campaign, the declared enemy of SPA (according to Dr. McManus) and the new guy at the helm at SPA. :-)))

That didn't irk me very much, most SPA members or people out there would not recognize me if I stepped on their tie.